ATX PULSE 5/8/25 (free): City Staff Recommend Shrinking Cap-and-Stitch // 2024 ACL Fest Generates $534M in Economic Impact // Tx Trib Buys Austin Monitor // Delta Launches Nonstops to Indy, JAX & Memphis // #5 UT Softball Faces #21 Ole Miss in SEC Tourney at 4pm on SEC Network

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 86° / L: 62°: Only a slight ran chance today, per Fox 7 Austin.

Impressive rainfall totals recorded in Central Texas over the past week, per KVUE.

How many 100° days will Austin get this year? Here’s what the First Warning Weather team predicts, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“ACL Fest generates $534M in economic impact, and $8.4M for citywide parks improvements” Austin Monitor

“Elon Musk faces backlash over 16-foot fence around Austin suburb mansion” KXAN

“Multiple Williamson County homes hit by lightning during severe storms” Fox 7 Austin

“The Austin Monitor joins forces with the Texas Tribune” Austin Monitor

THE BLOTTER

“VIDEO: Man pulls out shotgun on driver during road rage incident in Cedar Creek” Fox 7 Austin

“Former UT faculty member sentenced after conviction for child pornography'” KVUE

“Former Pflugerville ISD employee arrested, charged with 'serious criminal offenses'” KVUE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“City of Austin staff recommend downsized version of proposal to cover parts of I-35” AAS ($)

BUSINESS NEWS

“Delta launches 3 new nonstop routes from Austin's airport” KVUE

TEXAS SPORTS

TEXAS SOFTBALLL: “Ole Miss upsets Florida, earns quarterfinal spot vs. Texas in SEC softball tournament” KXAN

TEXAS BASEBALL: “How college baseball media outlets are projecting the postseason for the Texas Longhorns” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

City of Austin staff recommend downsized version of proposal to cover parts of I-35 - Austin American-Statesman

Dobie Middle School students walk out over Austin ISD's proposed changes, see photos - Austin American-Statesman

Will Texas Legislature finally mandate landlords to provide AC for renters? - Austin American-Statesman

ACL Fest generates $534M in economic impact, and $8.4M for citywide parks improvements - Austin Monitor

ICE deports Austin woman and her U.S. citizen children, immigrant advocates say - Austin American-Statesman

Plans for parks over I-35 collide with Austin’s cash crunch - Austin Monitor

Public Safety Commission discusses firefighter cancer prevention, quarterly Fire Department update, and bylaws - Austin Monitor

Cedar Park police searching for missing 16-year-old - KXAN Austin

Council eyes vision plans for north and south transit centers - Austin Monitor

Contractor that licenses employees to Tesla to lay off 50 employees based in Travis County - KVUE

Whitestone REIT acquires retail center in West Austin - ABJ

Austin family, including 2 US citizen children, deported after traffic stop - KVUE

SOURCES: ICE deports family of five, including US born kids, after DPS detainment near Austin school - KXAN

ACL Music Festival's 2024 economic impact rises 7% - ABJ

‘Sickening’: Hays County corrections officer arrested, facing child sex assault charges - KXAN Austin

Hyatt to build new kind of hotel near Austin - ABJ

Despite a handful of epic funding deals, it may be getting tougher for startups to raise money - ABJ

Austin gas prices drop, could stay low through summer travel season - KEYE

Governor Abbott Hosts Chihuahua Governor Campos In Austin - Office of the Texas Governor (.gov)

7-year-old Texas girl found locked in closet and starving; police search for her missing sister - NBC News

Just graduated and need a Mother's Day meal? Here's 6 Texas tips - MySA

Keeping Dobie Middle School open could cost teachers their jobs - KXAN

Texas girl not seen since 2017 reported missing after sister found starving in closet - USA Today

Routine traffic stop ends in officer-involved shooting in North Austin - FOX 7 Austin

The Brass Tap shutters another Austin location - Community Impact

Governor Abbott Demands Bold Reform To Fix Texas’ Deadly, Broken Bail System In Austin - Office of the Texas Governor (.gov)

Jimmy John's opens new location in Kyle - Community Impact

Local firm designing Austin Convention Center redevelopment earns sustainability award - Community Impact

Stinson’s closes brick and mortar off Burnet in North Austin - Community Impact

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ BBQ: “Austin declared No. 1 best barbecue city in the U.S. by Yelp” Culture Map Austin

~ BAR SCENE: “The world is a stage at East Austin's pop-up Broadway Sing-Along Bar” Culture Map Austin

~ SWSX: “Creativity ‘the North Star’ of SXSW, but some Austin musicians feel eclipsed during event” KXAN

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ WEEKEND PLANS: Here are 7 things to do in Austin this weekend. Culture Map Austin

~ SOFTBALL: #5 Texas vs. #21 Ole Miss. Athens, GA. SEC Tournament. 4pm. Airs on SEC Network.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Local Stakeholder Liasion. Orsted. No salary info. Info / apply here.